On February 10, Legal Voice filed an appeal that continues our challenge to Initiative 2081. The initiative is part of a nationwide attack on LGBTQ+ youth, sexual health education, youth access to health care, and diversity, equity, and inclusion — all under the guise of “parental rights.”
Our case centers on the fact that I-2081 is deceptive. When the initiative was being discussed in the Legislature, nonpartisan staff told lawmakers that it didn’t change existing laws and protections. In reality, it made sweeping changes. In fact, much of it is identical to a “Parents’ Bill of Rights” passed in Louisiana—it’s not a restatement of rights in Washington.
I-2081 makes it more difficult to talk about diversity in schools, and it strips away long-standing youth privacy rights. Under the law, schools would have to notify parents before giving out referrals for reproductive and mental health care. Schools could also be forced to turn over sensitive notes, potentially “outing” young people to unsupportive parents.
We filed our challenge to I-2081 last May alongside the ACLU of Washington. In June, a King County judge agreed to pause parts of the law related to youth health privacy. But on January 24, the judge reversed his position and allowed I-2081 to take full effect. With this ruling, many young people will no longer feel safe asking for help when they most need it.
We will continue fighting I-2081 and laws like it, both in court and in the Legislature. Now more than ever, it’s critical for LGBTQ+ youth and youth seeking reproductive health care to be able to have safe and confidential conversations with school nurses and counselors.
